THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE 330 A.D.-1453 A.D.

I. Constantinople A Rich and Powerful City Emperor Constantine 330 A.D. Trade – cross roads of land and sea routes Secure - Construction of High Walls

Constantinople

High Walls

Byzantine Empire

Constantinople Rich and Powerful Commanded key trade routes For Centuries, the cities favorable location made it Europe’s busiest marketplace China – silks Egypt – wheat India – gems S.E. Asia – Spices Viking Lands - Furs

II. Justinian’s Accomplishments 525-565

A. Military Expansion Increased the holdings of the Byzantine Empire to include: North Africa Italy Iberia (Spain) Tried to rebuild the Roman Empire Weakened his treasury – victory temporary

B. Rebuilds City Hagia Sophia – “Holy Wisdom” “Oh glory to God who has judged me worthy of accomplishing such a work as this!” “O Solomon, I have surpassed you.”

Hagia Sophia

Inside

C. The Effects of Justinian’s Code Sets up commission to: collect, revise, and organize all the laws of ancient Rome Corpus Juris Civilis or “Body of Civil Law” AKA – JUSTINIAN’S CODE: Laws passed by Roman assemblies, decrees from emperors, legal writings from Roman judges, and a handbook for students European Monarch centuries later model their laws on its principles

D. Autocracy Emperor and Christ’s co-ruler on Earth Political power and spiritual authority

E. Powerful Military Strongest military force in the world Soldiers, navy fortresses protected the city “Greek Fire” – Napalm

F. Economic Power Strong central government Peasants worked the land –paying taxes And providing soldiers Cities – trade flourished Healthy money economy – bezant

III. Byzantine Christianity

A. Differences Between East and West Claims of authority – Patriarch v. Pope Use of Icons – the debate over graven images Marriage Greek v. Latin 1054 – Great Schism – both excommunicate each other

IV. Byzantine Empire Destroyed

A. Crisis and Collapse Struggles over power and succession Norman Conquest of Southern Italy 1090s - Seljuk Turks advance across Asia Minor (Leading to First Crusade) Conflict with Venice over trade (4th Crusade ) Ottoman Turks under Mehmet II – 1453

V. IMPORTANT DATES 330 A.D. – Emperor Constantine move capital to Byzantium (Constantinople) 527 A.D. to 565 Reign of Justinian 532 – Riots and fire swept Constantinople – led to Hagia Sophia 600-700s – Byzantine Empire attacked Persians, Slavs, Vikings, Huns, Turks, Arabs 1054 – Great Schism 1090s – Byzantium asks the West for help in defending Muslim Turks 1260s – Byzantine reclaim throne from Venetians 1453 – Ottoman Turks take over Constantinople rename it Istanbul